Wise Thoughts on Open Source Software

I came across Alex Fletcher’s candid comments about Elastic Path and cannot resist mentioning it since Alex really has a handle on what Elastic Path does and clearly understands the “hows and whys” of using Open Source components to make a proprietary product.

Alex is an analyst for Entiva Group and points out right off the start that Elastic Path are not clients. He writes his personal/professional thoughts at Open Source Unleashed (self-described as “rambling”) including a description of his meeting with Elastic Path in September.

Not only is Alex dead accurate, he is also very polite and complimentary enough to make us stand up and holler “Right on!”

Here are a few snippets:

Elastic Path has emerged as a prime example of how open source is changing not only the dynamics of software production and distribution [see: the emergence of pure open source software companies in the marketplace] but also how proprietary companies compete and differentiate themselves.

The company itself is not open source, but remains refreshingly candid about expressing how open source powers the heart of what is a compelling product. After reading about the company and their product I was immediately impressed by the fluidity with which several mainline open source products had been woven together into a scalable solution.

They have succeeded in merging open technology into their revenue model by creating bi-directional value outlets that benefit their bottom line as well as that of customers. Even more so than the pure open source approach to the software business, proprietary companies who openly embrace and leverage open source within their product lines are the wave of the future, with more to follow.

He even includes the (sharply done, thanks Tom) Elastic Path architecture diagram.  I advise you subscribe to Alex “All Bets Off” blog feed or at least read the relevant blog post about open source enterprise software.